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Industry roadmaps

The department has developed a range of industry roadmaps and strategies as part of the Queensland Jobs Fund.

The Queensland Jobs Fund brings together industry development programs to boost the state’s industry footprint, create jobs and strengthen Queensland’s economy.

Emerging and priority sectors with global growth potential have been identified. We are working closely with industry to develop these 10-year roadmaps and action plans and strategies for each sector.

  • Advanced manufacturing

    Advanced manufacturing encompasses all aspects of manufacturing, including the ability to quickly respond to customer needs through innovations in production processes and the supply chain.

    Manufacturing is Queensland's third largest employer of full-time workers, directly employing 170,400 people as of June 2018. The industry directly contributed $19.2 billion to our economy in 2016–17.

    As manufacturing advances it is increasingly becoming knowledge-intensive, relying on information technology, modelling and simulation. Manufacturers are also focusing more on environmentally sustainable practices that lead to improved performance and reduced waste.

    The Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan focuses on supporting Queensland manufacturers to transition to advanced manufacturing while ensuring Queensland's manufacturing sector continues to remain globally competitive and innovative, with the agility to respond to emerging opportunities across local and global value chains.

    More information on advanced manufacturing.

  • Aerospace

    The aerospace industry includes all relevant technologies and key support systems necessary for the development, manufacture, upgrade, testing, operation and maintenance of military and civil flight vehicles and related ground support systems.

    Our vision for the aerospace industry is that by 2028, Queensland will be a leading centre in Australasia and South East Asia for aerospace innovation in niche manufacturing; maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities; training; and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System applications for military and civil markets. An aerospace industry of this scale will attract significant international investment, and create many high-skilled jobs for Queenslanders.

    The department is collaborating with industry, key stakeholders and the Australian Government to strengthen the Queensland Aerospace 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan to accelerate the pace of growth and assist the sector to grasp opportunities and create high-paid, sustainable jobs.

    More information on aerospace.

  • Biofutures

    The industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector, known collectively as ‘biofutures’, focuses on the development and manufacturing of products from sustainable organic and/or waste resources, rather than fossil fuels. It encompasses a spectrum of innovative scientific and industrial technologies designed to convert sustainable feedstocks or waste into a diverse range of bioproducts.

    Queensland has an emerging industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector and world-class expertise in research and development, including three commercial biorefineries. It is estimated these plants in Dalby, Narangba and Sarina directly employ up to 120 people and are worth up to $100 million in revenue terms and $10–20 million in value added terms per annum.

    Australia's first pilot scale advanced biorefinery recently began production in Gladstone. The 20 million litre Northern Oil facility will produce fuels suitable for aviation, military and heavy industrial uses. If successful, a $150 million commercial-scale advanced biofuel facility producing up to 200 million litres will be constructed on-site.

    The release of the Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan (PDF icon 2.6 MB) on 5 June 2016 set out our bold vision for growing Queensland's industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector to unlock the state's potential to commercially produce advanced biofuel, biochemicals, bioplastics and other biomaterials. Capitalising on the global biofutures boom, Queensland's biofutures industry could transform Queensland's economy by supporting future economic development, attracting new investment and growing employment in regional Queensland.

    More information on biofutures.

  • Biomedical

    Queensland is home to a cluster of niche enterprises focussed on biopharmaceuticals; generic pharmaceuticals; medical devices and niche point-of-care diagnostics; a handful of large, multinational biomedical manufacturing businesses; a thriving complementary medicines industry; plus support services such as health economics, pre-clinical and early phase clinical trials, regulatory affairs, financial services including research and development (R&D) tax services, recruitment, and intellectual property and other legal services.

    This highly knowledge-intensive segment of the Queensland economy employs more than 9000 people and contributes $1.4 billion in value to the state economy, with the potential to grow by almost 40% and employ up to 3000 more people by 2027.

    Previous Queensland Government investment in the biomedical sector has been extremely successful. It has built strengths and emerging capabilities in areas such as immunology and vaccine development and delivery; biologics; precision medicine; infectious and tropical diseases; immunotherapy; and smart devices and diagnostics.

    The Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan released in June 2017, along with the announcement of the $2 million Biomedical Assistance Fund that will help biomed enterprises access capital to bring new products to market. The roadmap details our vision to ensure the biomedical sector is in a strong position to expand its important role in the global value chain.

    More information on biomedical.

  • Defence

    Defence industries include the research and development, engineering, manufacturing and service of military materiel and facilities across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. This includes ballistics, vehicles, fabrication of military equipment, weapons, medical equipment, electronics and surveillance systems integration and networking of vehicle components.

    Queensland has a growing reputation as the ‘go-to’ state for defence and security solutions. Our defence industry directly employs more than 6500 people across all sectors.

    Our defence industries have contributed to the rise of Queensland's world-class status as an innovation, science and technology hub. Development of local defence technology companies, combined with access to global supply chains, has led to many technological advancements and helped support Queensland's advancements in fields such as nanotechnology, communication, maritime technology, information technology, precision manufacturing and aerospace.

    The Queensland Defence Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan sets out our vision to significantly increase defence revenue and generate 3500 new full-time jobs by 2028. It contains initiatives to help Queensland businesses leverage our state's comparative and competitive industry advantages to support defence strategic and capability priorities.

    More information on defence.

  • Mining equipment, technology and services

    Queensland's mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector is focused on developing cost-effective technologies and services to meet the diverse needs of  mining, oil and gas companies both in Australia and overseas. The sector is a world leader in safety, mine site rehabilitation and remediation processes, knowledge and technology, contract mine servicing and project management.

    Our METS sector is a major exporter; contributes more than $7 billion gross revenue to the state; and a significant number of the 26,700 Queensland METS jobs are in the technical, scientific and professional services arena, which is an important part of Queensland's growing knowledge economy.

    To assist METS companies to capitalise on emerging opportunities from the transformation of the resources sector, the Queensland Government is showcasing our local capabilities to the world. We’re supporting projects focusing on global industry challenges including automation, mine rehabilitation, reducing emissions throughout the resources supply chain and providing assistance to trial new technologies in partnership with resource companies as a first step to commercialising innovative solutions to industry challenges. We’re also positioning our METS companies to take advantage of future opportunities by assisting them to improve their ESG performance and upskilling their cyber security capabilities

    The Queensland METS 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan ( 1.3 MB)  outlines our vision for the METS sector to become a global leader in the development of commercially valuable solutions for the energy and resources industry worldwide. Our METS sector is well positioned to assist the energy and resources industry to find site-specific solutions and help create the innovative, profitable and environmentally sustainable mines and gas fields of the future.

    More information on METS.

Last updated: 21 Jun 2022